Related Stories

Unless he removes weapons from the ads, the cable giant won’t run the commercials for United Loan and Firearms.

Reynolds, who manages the Broad Street store, was notified Thursday that he would be required to remove any reference or image of weapons from his current ad in order to comply with Comcast’s new policy, which was put in place after the company purchased NBCUniversal. The policy adheres to NBC standards. “What really got me was when they said that we had enough name recognition that we could get by with just saying United Loan,” Reynolds said. “They were going to actually make us eliminate ‘Firearms’ from our name.”

The business’s most recent commercial, a spoof of the reality show Pawn Stars, shows firearms on the rack and inside the counter in less than 25 percent of the video, Reynolds said.

The store also sells nonlethal self-protection devices, jewelry and other items. The ad did not show, nor does the store sell, so-called assault weapons, he said.

Reynolds was told by his Com­cast representative that the move was made after the De­cem­ber shooting at Sandy Hook Ele­mentary School, where 20 children and six adults were killed.

Chris Ellis, the senior director of communications for Comcast Spotlight, which is the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, responded to requests for information with a statement: “Consistent with long standing NBC policies, Comcast Spotlight has decided it will not accept new advertising for firearms or weapons moving forward. This policy aligns us with the guidelines in place at many media organizations.”

Attempts for additional information went unanswered.

The decision is hypocritical, Reynolds said, because Comcast continues to air violent shows and movies.

“The federal government is issuing us a license and says it’s OK for us to sell guns,” Reynolds said. “That’s out-and-out censorship for Comcast to decide. That’s them pushing their political agenda.”

Though Reynolds has advertised with Comcast for several years, he said he’ll now switch entirely to WOW! Internet, Cable and Phone, which acquired Knology in mid-2012. It doesn’t have a policy that prohibits advertising of guns or weapons, said the company’s organizational communications manager, Erica Stull.

Eddie Walden, the owner of Walden’s Outdoors in Martinez, has advertised for several years with Comcast. His family-owned business sells archery equipment, firearms and accessories.

He found out Monday that his commercials also will be pulled if changes aren’t made to eliminate the depiction of weapons.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for
following agreed-upon rules of civility. Posts and
comments do not reflect the views of this site. Posts and comments are
automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some
comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules,
click the "Flag as offensive" link below the comment.

If Comcast is so morally opposed to guns that it can't show them as background in a commercial.......why don't they also censor all programming in which a firearm is shown or used? Oh, wait a minute......

... Comcast has had that whole (filtered word) you mentality towards subscribers since they got their monopoly from the sorry crooks that are our local government. Why shouldn't they be able to tell unhappy advertisers to (filtered word) off as well?

Comcast is a private company. If it doesn't want gun ads, it doesn't have to air them. Likewise, this business owner and his supporters don't have to purchase Comcast's services or watch their programs.

If Comcast's position is untenable in the marketplace of ideas, it will change its policy.

"Does this mean comcast will not show movies and t.v. shows that involve guns?"

That's where the HYPOCRITE creeps into their stupid policy. They seem to have a problem relating the fantasy world they broadcast with real world they have created by what they drum into the minds of our children. I guess they have decided that THEY are the only ones who can show guns.....and only if they are being used to kill someone....on TV of course....not in real life. Another virtual monopoly shoving Political Correctness down your throat. Are you sure they aren't owned by Michael Bloomberg? Local municipalities should start jerking their licenses for discrimination.

I really wish I could remember the name of the gun shop in Athens that went through the exact same thing with the radio station...I think it was WNGC. Anyway, the owner of the gun shop...which had "Gun Shop" in it's name, said there was a restriction on mentioning the guns they sold, but that dude mentioned "_______ GUN SHOP" about 20 times in his ad! He also mentioned the Constitutional right to bear arms...which I really don't think Comcast could restrict them mentioning (could they??). Anyway, if I were the pawn shop owner, I'd check out which gun shop this was and talk to the owner about copying his ad!
But for right now....UNITED LOAN AND FIREARMS!!
So glad we don't use Comcast. They just do not care because they've learned that, when people get ticked off, they just lower the price for a couple of months, then they raise them right back up again..making the suckers feel they've gotten over on Comcast, all the while Comcast is laughing at them!

Isn't their contract to provide services awarded by the local Richmond County Government? I think the county should take a look at the contract terms and consider booting them or not renewing them. The violent programming they (Comcast) spew over their service is ten times worse than a local businessman's TV add portraying the sale of firearms.

Get your ditch diggers hopping and lay those lines into the Appling Area.

You have this $252.00 a month user and 4 other neighbors with the same level the day we can hook up.

The manager and owner are friends of mine and you are just as low as any sick mindset Liberal denying them what I consider is almost a US Constitutional Right. I have a feeling you are receiving some kickback being dished out by the Hammer & Sickle Man, probably because you broadcast "FOX".

All advertisers currently using Comcast should immediately pull their ads in protest. One day they might decide YOUR product is socially unacceptable too. Greasy burger joints, restaurants that serve the demon rum, car dealers who sell products that pollute. Your turn in the barrel is coming. Support United Loan and Firearms by pulling your Comcast advertising TOMORROW. It's time to take a stand as to whether we will tolerate being dictated to by the Bloombergs and Comcasts of the world.

Comcast has drawn their line in the sand. It is obvious they are against the second amendment & want individual guns taken away from citizens by this despicable government. It is our right & privilege within capitalism to pick who gets our money for goods & services. I would not give aid to the enemy so I definitely would not give money to a company that would like to see my individual rights taken away. Very simple.